18A.30.030 Preliminary review and evaluation criteria – Comprehensive plan.
A. Prior to City Council action, the Department shall conduct a preliminary review and evaluation of proposed amendments, including rezones, and assess the extent of review that would be required under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). The preliminary review and evaluation shall also include any review by other departments deemed necessary by the Department, and except as provided in Chapter 18A.30 LMC, Article VII, Rezone and Text Amendment, shall be based on the following criteria:
1. Is the proposed amendment consistent with the county-wide planning policies, the Growth Management Act (GMA), other state or federal law, or the Washington Administrative Code?
2. Would the proposed amendment cause little or no adverse environmental impacts and is the time required to analyze impacts available within the time frame of the standard annual review process?
3. Is sufficient analysis completed to determine any need for additional capital improvements and revenues to maintain level-of-service, and is the time required for this analysis available within the time frame for this annual review process?
4. Can the proposed amendment be considered now without conflicting with some other comprehensive plan established timeline?
5. Can the proposed amendment be acted on without significant other amendments or revisions not anticipated by the proponents and is the time required for processing those amendments or revisions available within the time frame of this annual review process?
6. If the proposed amendment was previously reviewed, ruled upon or rejected, has the applicant identified reasons to review the proposed amendment again?
B. If the Department determines that the answer to any of the above questions is no, it may recommend to the City Council that the proposed amendment or revision not be further processed in the current amendment review cycle. Upon direction from City Council, Department staff will inform those whose proposed amendments or revisions will not be considered because (a) impact analysis beyond the scope of the amendment process is needed; (b) the request does not meet preliminary criteria; or (c) likelihood of inclusion of the proposal in a department’s work program. Proponents may resubmit proposals to the Department at any time, subject to the timelines contained in this chapter. [Ord. 726 § 2 (Exh. B), 2019.]